Inertial measurement unit and method of constructing the same using two orthogonal surfaces
AssigneeRosemount Aerospace Inc.
InventorsRobert D. Rutkiewicz, Robert W. Stuelke, Todd A. Ell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of mounting in-plane sensors of an inertial measurement unit. The method includes the steps of: providing a structure having first and second planar surfaces oriented orthogonally to one another, positioning a plurality of sensors on the first planar surface such that each of the sensors has a sense axis extending parallel to the first planar surface, positioning at least one other sensor on the second planar surface such that the at lease one other sensor has a sense axis extending parallel to the second planar surface, and orienting the sensors on the first and second surfaces so that the angles formed between any two sense axes are equal.
Claims18
A method of mounting in-plane sensors, comprising the steps of:
- providing a structure having first and second planar surfaces oriented orthogonally to one another;
- positioning a plurality of sensors on the first planar surface such that each of the sensors has a sense axis extending parallel to the first planar surface;
- positioning at least one other sensor on the second planar surface such that the at least one other sensor has a sense axis extending parallel to the second planar surface;
- and
- orienting the sensors on the first and second surfaces so that the angles formed between any two sense axes are equal.
The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of positioning a first redundant sensor on the third planar surface such that a sense axis of the first redundant sensor is parallel to the third planar surface.
An inertial measurement unit, comprising:
- a structure having a first planar surface and a second planar surface oriented orthogonally to one another;
- a plurality of primary sensors mounted on the first planar surface, wherein each of the primary sensors has a sense axis that extends parallel to the first planar surface;
- and
- at least one primary sensor mounted on the second planar surface, wherein the at least one primary sensor has a sense axis that is parallel to the second planar surface, and wherein the angles formed between any two sense axes are equal.
A method for providing a tetrahedral angle configuration for a three-axis inertial measurement unit on two mounting surfaces, the method comprising:
- providing a structure having a first planar surface and a second planar surface oriented orthogonally to one another, and a linear junction formed at the intersection of the first and second planar surfaces;
- mounting a first sensor on the first planar surface such that a sense axis of the first sensor is parallel to the first planar surface and oriented at an inner angle of approximately 54.74 degrees from the linear junction.
- mounting a second sensor on the first planar surface such that a sense axis of the second sensor is parallel to the first planar surface and oriented at an inner angle of approximately 54.74 degrees from the linear junction;
- mounting a third sensor on the second planar surface such that a sense axis of the third sensor is parallel to the second planar surface and is oriented at an inner angle of approximately 54.74 degrees from the linear junction;
- and
- mounting a fourth sensor on the second planar surface such that a sense axis of the fourth sensor is parallel to the second planar surface and is oriented at an inner angle of approximately 54.74 degrees from the linear junction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.